Residential Solar Roofs in Michigan – The Process

If you’re interested in solar panel installation for your Michigan home, it helps to have a firm grasp on what the purchase and installation process looks like before signing on the dotted line. Since solar panels can be a sizeable investment for homeowners, you don’t want any questions or uncertainty to pop up.

Luckily, solar panel installation can be a fairly seamless process — if you choose the right company to work with. The panels also require very little maintenance once they’re installed, so you shouldn’t have much of anything to worry about.

If you’re deciding whether or not solar panels are right for your home, or if you’re interested but just want to know what to expect, here’s a quick rundown of what it looks like to actually purchase solar panels in the state of Michigan.

Obtain a Quote

As with any service, the first part of the process involves finding a trusted professional who can do the work, and ask them for a quote. This will help you determine whether or not solar panels are within your current budget, and also help you get a feel for the company so you can decide if you’d like to work with them.

Costs for solar panels can vary widely depending on the size of your home and your regular energy consumption. However, the average price in Michigan is between $15,000 and $20,000. Of course, you want to look for the best possible price, but be wary of outliers since companies that give you especially inexpensive quotes may include hidden fees or skimp on quality.

During this part of the process, your installer may come out to your home to evaluate the property and determine the type of panels you need as well as the optimal placement. They’ll take into account the size of your property, roof type, access to sunlight, and your current electrical panel.

Overall, throughout this process you want to look for a company that is honest, transparent, and willing to work with you when it comes to meeting your specific needs. For example, if you’re looking to pay for your solar panels using grants or low interest financing options, find a company that will help you make sense of the options so you can get access to solar power within your specific budget.

Consider Different Payment Options

Solar panels can represent a pretty significant expense for most homeowners. However, there are plenty of options for helping you cover and offset some of that initial investment. Aside from Michigan solar incentives like the state’s net metering policy that lets you earn credits on extra power generated by your solar system, you can also look into grants and low interest financing options to help you cover the cost. The installation company you choose may even offer to supply or connect you with financing possibilities that fit within your budget.

Each homeowner needs to consider all of the options carefully, but ultimately, it’s important to take some time during this process to find the opportunities that are most applicable for your situation. If you’re able to cover the cost but just want to alleviate some of the upfront cost, then grants or tax incentives may be of interest. If you’re not able to make a large upfront payment but are still interested in investing in solar panels as soon as possible, you may be more interested in low interest loans that you can easily pay off over time.

Complete the Installation and Maintenance

Once you’ve chosen a provider and payment method for your solar panels, it’s time for the installation process to begin. At this point, you can work with your installer to choose the exact solar equipment that’s right for your property. Your installer will also need to submit some permits and paperwork to ensure that your system is fully licensed and approved. Some regions require specific types of work permits, but your installer should be fairly familiar with those processes so they can walk you through what’s required.

On the official installation day, the team will need to access your roof to make sure all the shingles or roofing materials are sturdy and secure. Then they will start putting in the electrical wiring system that the panels will attach to before eventually bringing up the actual panels and connecting them to your power grid. At this point, a representative from your local government may need to perform a quick inspection to make sure everything is up to code. Once that’s completed, you’ll be up and running, ready to receive all that renewable and efficient solar power!

As far as maintenance is concerned, solar panels are extremely easy. All you really need to do is wash them off lightly with a hose a couple of times per year. They should not require any additional repairs or professional attention for at least 25 to 30 years, so your initial investment is really all you need to pay to run your solar power system for decades.

If you’re interested in all the potential benefits of solar power in Michigan, the most important thing you can do is find a trusted installation company that can help to walk you through all of the essential steps and ensure that your needs are met throughout the process. The Green Panel has been providing expert solar installation services in Michigan for more than a decade. Our team of professionals puts special care and service into every customer interaction so you feel comfortable with the entire process. We also work with quality manufacturers to provide residential and commercial properties with the most efficient systems available. You can request a free solar evaluation on our website or contact us to discuss your options.